The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-12-03
Ann to be Polite

not reel an interest in others, and
therefore, not always able to assume
a gracious manner. A person who
IS never willing to oblige others at
home is at much of loss to know
how to be polite abroad, as he would
be If compelled to speak a language
unknown to him. Politeness, like
charity, begins in the home. circle.
But it should never end there. Bows
should early be taught to lift their
hats and bow whenever they meet a
lady. Our grandfathers were taught
to bow, and our grandmothers to
courtesy" to every one they met on
their way to and from school. 1t
was on admirable social custom and
ought not to have been allowed to
fall into disuse. Boys should be
taught at home to remove their hats
at the door, to clean their feet on the
door mat outside, to walk quietly
and gracefully across the room, to
sit and stand erect, to speak pleasant
ly and frankly, to reply promptly,
truthtully and respectfully when adj
dressed, to keep their hair and cloth
ing neatly brushed, to consider we'll
polished shoes, neat clothes and
clean hands and face, Just as essential
when no one but the family is pre-
sent, as when there is company.
They should be permitted to help
entertain company and should make
themselves useful whenever their
help is needed. A boy who is un-
selfish and "handy' enough to re-
plenish the fire, sweep up the hearth,
bring in wood and water, or in any
way add to the comfort and conven-
fence of his nearest relatives, with
out being reminded of these little
duties, is treasure to his mother
and has benefited himself greatly
by laying a good foundation for the
performance of all those little atten-
tons which society exacts from
young men. Every intelligent boy
ought to know that it is against all
rules of good breeding to use pro-
fame or vulgar language; to loll or
lounge on sofas or chairs in the pre-
senco of ladies; to sit with the feet
on table or the back of another
chair; to whistle loudly indoors, to
speak rudely or harshly to those
older than himself; to sit while ladies
are standing; to occupy the easiest
chair in the room when there are
others present entitled to it by
age, intirmity or courtesy; to order a
friend or a relative as though he
were n servant; to slam doors; to as
sumo staggering air OF superiority,
to quarrel with any one; or to treat
visitors with ill-bred indifference Oh
contempt.
Little girls who wish to be agree.
able must remember that besides
observing all the rules laid down fol
their brothers, it is ill-bred to act in
a sullen or churlish manner, to say
spiteful things, to ridicule the aeeC
or dcformed, to talk and laugh SC
loudly as to attract notice in public
to be petulcnt, to find fault with
gift, and to complain about til,
weather or any thing else which i.
unavoidable.
Girls, thy always to be natural, t,
forget self, to be gracious towart
every one, to cultivate an amiabl
disposition, and to add to the happi
ness of others. Ifpossible, learn t,
walk in an easy and graceful man
ner without mincing or taking step
too long. Learn to use your hands
and do not sit in company will
your arms tightly folded as thouel
they were not intended for use. Con
versation requires gestures at time.
Ifasked to sing or play, comply a
once, if il is in your power to do SC
BE scrupulously neat in dress, an
see that your room is always in ordel
And all such disagrceable habits a
picking the nose, ears or teeth i
company, biting or trimming tn
nails, yawning and appearing bore
when any one-particularly an oil
person-is speaking. Never intei
rupt any one because he is tellin
you tiresome story. You can bea
the infliction much better than h
can endure the wound his vanit
will receive. Always acknowleda
an acquaintance, if worthy of you
respect, no matter where he is, {
however shabby his clothes may b.
The young girl Or boy who has
polite bow, a smile and pleasar
word for every one, will be blesse
with many friends. Above all, lear
to be true-hearted and sincere.
A silly, ficklc-minded person, wit
no principles or opinions worth d,
Tending or retaining, is, at best.